ZTP vs DNAC PNP

[seemab4ever]

Hello Team,

Have a quick question while reading through Programmability Configuration Guide for IOS-XE Amsterdam. I see in Table 1 there is a point where it mentions 

• Cisco 4000 Series Integrated Services Router models with a minimum of 8 GB RAM to support Guest Shell.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/ios-xml/ios/prog/configuration/173/b_173_programmability_cg/zero_touch_provisioning.html

So if the router has less than 8GB RAM the Guest Shell environment cannot be created and the required Python Script cannot run.

Now the question if i am using Cisco DNAC PNP workflow, will this requirement will still be same that the ISR4K requires 8GB RAM? Is the DNAC PnP workflow any different functionality wise then the ZTP feature workflow?

Regards,

/Seemab

[Flavio Miranda]

Hi

 According to my understanding from doc and dailly experience, one thing has nothing to do with the other. The requirement for more Memory is not related to PNP. 

 PNP and ZTP can be considered as the same.  PNP means Plug and Play  and ZTP means Zero touch provisioning. As we can see, both represents the same goal which is simplify device depployment.

[seemab4ever]

Thanks Flavio,

my understanding is also the same both the features are achieving same outcomes. What is confusing is the requirement of RAM. also i am trying to understand is the actual workflow. While ZTP makes use of the Guest Shell which provides the environment for the Python script to run. Guest Shell executes the downloaded Python script and applies an initial configuration to the device.

I want to know if the DNAC PNP workflow also takes the similar approach, which i am expecting it does as its also utilises IOS-XE.

Regards,

/Seemab 

[rasmus.elmholt · Accepted solution]

Hi Seemab,

PnP and ZTP are to separate technologies.

ZTP will load a configuration file in a container, and run the script/configuration

DNA PnP will use a PNP server to push configuration to the device.

Take a look at the DNA Center feature compatibility matrix to see if PnP is supported for your hardware.

https://www.cisco.com/c/dam/en/us/td/docs/Website/enterprise/dnac_compatibility_matrix/index.html